Best (cheap) Polaroid land camera?

[Jamie123]

I recently bought a cheap polaroid back for my Hasselblad and this weekend I finally got some film to try it out.
I came to three conclusions:
1. Polaroids are expensive.
2. They're a lot of fun!
3. I need to go bigger than 6x6

So I'm thinking of buying a Land camera that takes readily available polaroid film and batteries (in case it needs batteries). What should I look for? Like I said, it should be cheap(ish) but also have a decent lens.

 

[lubitel]

there are so many choices, you'll go nuts.

http://www.rwhirled.com/landlist/landhome.htm

 

[wray]

I'd recommend an SX-70. You'll need to buy a packfilter for $17 from ebay to allow you to use Polaroid 600 in the camera.

 

[LarryLMedina]

How about the Polaroid 250?

How about the Polaroid 250?

Aloha~

Look at the Polaroid Auto 250 - it's one of the best packfilm cameras out there IMHO. 3-element glass lens, Zeiss viewfinder, and takes readily available Type 690 color or 667 b/w film. I got mines free from my brother in-law, but they go for $5-20 on eBay, typically.

The films from Fuji are cheapest, however Type 690 by Polaroid is their latest color interation: saturated color (like Kodak film) and is almost self-developing -- very tolerant of development timing if you happen to be off by more than a few seconds (Type 690 requires 90-sec development time). Type 690 is sold by Ritz and I get mines locally at $25 for a 20-exposure dual pack.

The Auto 250 has an autoexposure meter (cool) and takes a 4.5v batt which can be bought at Radio Shack or online (I can't recall the batt part number). It's expensive at $10-12. I rigged a batt holder (which I also bought at Radio Shack) where I use 3 AAA batts instead - much cheaper route.

My Auto 250 takes a dedicated flashgun and flashbulbs (ugh) but can also take an electronic flash with no problems (I use a Vivitar 252 on mines). The 250's autoexposure meter works flawlessly with the flash and closes the shutter right on time without any overexposure problems.

Word of caution: the packfilm cameras like my Auto 250 suffer from underexposure problems due to their aging autoexposure electronics - they are 40 years old, after all. The underexposure problem is easily compensated by adjusting the Lighten-Darken control +1 stop. I have to adjust my camera +1 1/2 stop for proper exposed pics.

For a comprehensive listing of all Polaroid cameras, check The Land List (rwhirled.com/landlist/landhome.htm). Extensive info and specs.

Hope this helps a bit.

Aloha~

// Larry

 

[Jamie123]

there are so many choices, you'll go nuts.

http://www.rwhirled.com/landlist/landhome.htm

That's what I was afraid to hear 🙂



Thanks wray and LarryLMedina for your suggestions! I think something like the Auto 250 would be perfect. I prefer this over the SX-70 since I would like to use 3 1/4x4 1/4 in. packfilm since I like the format and it is also what I use for the Hasselblad.
There's a 350 on local auction site at the moment but I think at $40 it's a little more than I want to spend at the moment. There's also a 190 but that one's waaay out of my league!
I'll keep my eyes open!

 

[MelanieC]

I have a piece of crap 230 that my mom used to use (she does not have the same kind of taste in cameras my dad had) and every now and then I take it out and look at it. An old battery corroded in the battery compartment but I think I can get the compartment clean. Otherwise it's in great shape.

Is this camera worth playing with? I know it isn't exactly rare.